2013 RAM 1500 Engine Problems
Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2013 RAM 1500, 10% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 70,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “exhaust manifold” (22% of reports).
- 123engine complaints
- 70,000median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $5,450typical repair cost reported by owners
- 55%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Exhaust manifold: mentioned in 27 of 123 complaints (22%)
- Ticking noise: mentioned in 12 of 123 complaints (10%)
- Cam shaft: mentioned in 7 of 123 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2013 RAM 1500 at $5,450, and half of them between $2,650 and $5,700.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2016–2023), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 86 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 123 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury.
RAM 1500 engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 12 | 12% | — |
| 2025 1500 | 75 | 21% | 3,600 |
| 2024 1500 | 23 | 30% | 2,150 |
| 2023 1500 | 46 | 23% | 1,496 |
| 2022 1500 | 248 | 40% | 39,950 |
| 2021 1500 | 276 | 40% | 15,319 |
| 2020 1500 | 155 | 24% | 31,124 |
| 2019 1500 | 232 | 16% | 19,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 110 | 17% | 26,000 |
| 2017 1500 | 156 | 18% | 39,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 291 | 19% | 60,000 |
| 2015 1500 | 335 | 23% | 68,221 |
| 2014 1500 | 304 | 17% | 75,000 |
| 2013 1500 | 123 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 2009 1500 | 5 | 14% | 80,454 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 1500 trucks manufactured manufactured June 25, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the coolant bypass valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater core. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Risk: Without a properly working windshield defrosting system, a buildup of mositure or ice could limit the driver's ability to see, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace replace the suspect coolant valves along with an updated calibration, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N25.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
In December 2025, my check engine light came on. Diagnostic codes read P0128 (coolant thermostat) and U1467 (module communication). I took the vehicle to a mechanic, who diagnosed and repaired the issue. Shortly after, the check engine light returned, so the same mechanic replaced the ECM (plug and…
I have my vehicle at the dealership to check a ticking noise from the 5.7L engine in my truck. I was told that there are broken exhaust bolts causing the noise. I see online that this is a common issue and that there is a recall for this issue, but my vehicle is not included in the recall list. I…
The MDS is wearing down the 6 lobe on the cam shaft due to changing from 6 to 8 cylinder this has to be a serious issue
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 RAM 1500s have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 123 owner complaints about engine for the 2013 RAM 1500 (10% of the 1,279 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2013 RAM 1500 engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 70,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2013 RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,450 (half paid between $2,650 and $5,700), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2013 RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “exhaust manifold”, in 27 of 123 complaints, followed by “ticking noise” (12).
Other 2013 RAM 1500 problems
- Steering problems (640)
- Electrical System problems (227)
- Air Bags problems (94)
- Power Train problems (86)
- Service Brakes problems (69)
See all 2013 RAM 1500 problems or engine problems across all 1500 years.